Veljusa Monastery – St. Mary, near Strumica

Veljusa Monastery is located at altitude 400 meters above sea level, 8 km west of Strumica city. It is an active female monastery dedicated to St. Mary. The monastery church was erected by the monk Manuel in 1080.

Veljusa Monastery near Strumica

Preserved to this day, the church is an excellent representative of the high achievements of the Byzantine sacral architecture in the Middle Ages.

Clock Tower - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica

 

Monastery church - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia

Monastery church - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia

The interior of the church was fresco painted in three time periods, in 1085, 1164. and in the XIX century. Particularly interesting is the representation of Jesus Christ in the dome, where he is portrayed as a child of 12, which is a real rarity.

Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia

 

The monastery is dedicated to the birth of St. Mary and celebrates the “Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary” (Mala Bogorodica) on September 21st (Macedonian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar).

Location

Location of Veljusa Monastery

The monastery is located 8 km west of Strumica in the village of Veljusa. The road is asphalted through the village is narrow and steep and is not suitable for buses and larger vehicles. There is a small parking lot in front of the monastery.

Photo Gallery

Veljusa Monastery near Strumica

 

 

Clock Tower - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica

 

 

Squirrels playing on tree - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia

 

 

Monastery church - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia

 

Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia

 

 

Monastery church - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia

 

Monastery church - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia

 

Monastery church - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia

 

Monastery church - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia

 

Panorama - view from Monastery church - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia

 

Entrance - Veljusa Monastery near Strumica, Macedonia